Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T10:12:14.520Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Chelicerate arthropods, including the oldest phalangiotarbid arachnid, from the Early Devonian (Siegenian) of the Rhenish Massif, Germany

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2016

Markus Poschmann ,
Lyall I. Anderson  and
Jason A. Dunlop
Markus Poschmann
Affiliation:
Department for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Rhineland-Palatinate (Section for Geological Sites), Große Langgasse 29, D-55116 Mainz, Germany,
Lyall I. Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Zoology, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom,
Jason A. Dunlop
Affiliation:
Institut für Systematische Zoologie, Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany,
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A relatively diverse chelicerate fauna has been detected in Early Devonian, Siegenian strata of the Westerwald area, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The arachnids, comprising trigonotarbids and the oldest phalangiotarbids, are described and figured here along with the chasmataspidids. To accomodate the phalangiotarbid a new genus and species in the family Architarbidae, Devonotarbus hombachensis, is raised. Devonotarbus n. gen. is characterized by an approximately straight posterior carapace margin, abbreviated and undivided anterior tergites, a large sixth tergite, and fused posterior tergites. The chasmataspidid closely resembles Diploaspis casteri from the Emsian assemblage of Alken an der Mosel, but is readily discernible as a new species, D. muelleri, by a strong tuberculation of its dorsal integument. With only fragmentary opisthosomal remains available, the trigonotarbids cannot be placed in known taxa with any certainty at this time.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 79 , Issue 1 , January 2005 , pp. 110 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anderson, L. I., Dunlop, J. A., and Trewin, N. H. 2000. A Middle Devonian chasmataspid arthropod from Achanarras Quarry, Caithness, Scotland. Scottish Journal of Geology, 36:151–158.Google Scholar
Anderson, L. I., Poschmann, M., and Brauckmann, C. 1998. On the Emsian (Lower Devonian) arthropods of the Rhenish Slate Mountains: 2. The synziphosurine Willwerathia. Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 72:325–336.Google Scholar
Babcock, L. E., Merriam, D. F., and West, R. R. 2000. Paleolimulus, an early limuline (Xiphosurida), from Pennsylvanian–Permian Lagerstätten of Kansas and taphonomic comparison with modern Limulus. Lethaia, 33:129–141.Google Scholar
Beall, B. S. 1984. Functional and autecological analyses of phalangiotarbid arachnids. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 15:440.Google Scholar
Beall, B. S. 1991. The Writhlington phalangiotarbids: their palaeobiological significance. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 102:161–168.Google Scholar
Boucot, A. J. 1963. The Globithyrid Facies of the Lower Devonian. Senckenbergiana lethaea, 44:79–84.Google Scholar
Brauckmann, C. 1987. Neue Arachniden-Funde (Scorpionida, Trigonotarbida) aus dem westdeutschen Unter-Devon. Geologica et Palaeontologica, 21:73–85.Google Scholar
Braun, A. 1997. Vorkommen, Untersuchungsmethoden und Bedeutung tierischer Cuticulae in kohligen Sedimentgesteinen des Devons und Karbons. Palaeontographica, A 245:83–156, 15 pls.Google Scholar
Caster, K. E., and Brooks, H. K. 1956. New fossils from the Canadian–Chazyan (Ordovician) hiatus in Tennessee. Bulletins of American Paleontology, 36:157–199.Google Scholar
Cleal, C. J., and Thomas, B. A. 1999. Plant Fossils: The History of Land Vegetation. Boydell Press, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 188 p., 128 pls.Google Scholar
DiMichele, W. A., and Hook, R. W. (rapporteurs). 1992. Paleozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems, p. 205–325. In Behrensmeyer, A. K., Damuth, J. D., DiMichele, W. A., Potts, R., Sues, H.-D., and Wing, S. L. (eds.), Terrestrial Ecosystems through Time. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Drevermann, F. 1904. Die Fauna der Siegener Schichten von Seifen unweit Dierdorf (Westerwald). Palaeontographica, 50:229–287, 5 pls.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A. 1994. The palaeobiology of the Writhlington trigonotarbid arachnid. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 105:287–296.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A. 1995. A redescription of two eophrynids (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida) from the Coal Measures (Carboniferous) of Ostrava, Czech Republic. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Monatshefte, 1995:449–461.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A. 1996. Systematics of the fossil arachnids. Revue suisse de Zoologie, vol. hors serie, p. 173–184.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A. 2002. Arthropods from the Lower Devonian Severnaya Zemlya Formation of October Revolution Island (Russia). Geodiversitas, 24:349–379.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A., and Horrocks, C. A. 1997. Phalangiotarbid arachnids from the Coal Measures of Lancashire, UK. Geological Magazine, 134:369–381.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A., and Poschmann, M. 1997. On the Emsian (Lower Devonian) arthropods of the Rhenish Schiefergebirge: 1. Xenarachne, an enigmatic arachnid from Willwerath, Germany. Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 71:231–236.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A., and Selden, P. A. 1997. The early history and phylogeny of the chelicerates, p. 221–235. In Fortey, R. A. and Thomas, R. H. (eds.), Arthropod Relationships. Chapman and Hall, London.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A., Anderson, L. I., and Braddy, S. J. 1999. A new chasmataspid (Chelicerata: Chasmataspida) from the Lower Devonian of the Midland Valley of Scotland. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences, 89:161–165.Google Scholar
Dunlop, J. A., Poschmann, M., and Anderson, L. I. 2001. On the Emsian (Lower Devonian) arthropods of the Rhenish Slate Mountains: 3. The chasmataspidid Diploaspis. Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 75:253–269.Google Scholar
Edwards, D., Kerp, H., and Hass, H. 1998. Stomata in early land plants: an anatomical and ecophysiological approach. Journal of Experimental Botany, 49:255–278.Google Scholar
Eichwald, E. 1854. Die Grauwackenschichten von Live- und Esthland. Bulletin de la Societé Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, 27:1–211.Google Scholar
Erben, H. K. 1962. Zur Analyse und Interpretation der rheinischen und hercynischen Magnafazies des Devons, p. 42–61. In Erben, H. K. (ed.), 2. Internationale Arbeitstagung über die Silur/Devon-Grenze und die Stratigraphie von Silur und Devon, Bonn-Bruxelles 1960, Symposiums-Band. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart.Google Scholar
Fischer De Waldheim, G. 1839. Notice sur un crustacé fossile du genre Eurypterus de Podolie. Bulletin de la Societé Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, 11:125–128.Google Scholar
Haase, E. 1890. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der fossilen Arachniden. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Geologischen Gesellschaft, 42:629–657.Google Scholar
Henke, W. 1933. Verbreitung und Ausbildung der Siegener Schichten in der Osteifel. Geologische Rundschau, 24:187–203.Google Scholar
Heymons, R. 1901. Die Entwicklungsgeschichte der Scolopender. Zoologica, 13(33):1–244, 8 pls.Google Scholar
Hirst, S. 1923. On some arachnid remains from the Old Red Sandstone (Rhynie Chert bed, Aberdeenshire). Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 9:455–474, 5 pls.Google Scholar
Karsch, F. 1882. Ueber ein neues Spinnenthier aus der schlesischen Steinkohle und die Arachniden der Steinkohlenformation überhaupt. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Geologischen Gesellschaft, 34:556–561, 1 pl. Google Scholar
Kegel, W. 1913. Der Taunusquarzit von Katzenelnbogen. Abhandlungen der Preußischen Geologischen Landesanstalt, Neue Folge, 76:1–162, 6 pls. Google Scholar
Kidston, R., and Lang, W. H. 1920. On Old Red Sandstone plants showing structure, from the Rhynie Chert bed, Aberdeenshire. Part 3. Asteroxylon Mackiei, Kidston and Lang. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 52:643–680.Google Scholar
Krantz, A. 1857. Ueber ein neues bei Menzenberg aufgeschlossenes Petrefakten-Lager in den devonischen Schichten. Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereins der Preussischen Rheinlande und Westfalens, 14:143–165, 4 pls. Google Scholar
Lamarck, J.-B. 1801. Système des animaux sans vertèbres. L'auteur et Deterville, Paris, 8 vols., 432 p.Google Scholar
Lang, W. H., and Cookson, I. C. 1935. On a flora, including vascular land plants, associated with Monograptus, in rocks of Silurian age, from Victoria, Australia. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, B, 224:421–449.Google Scholar
Laurie, M. 1899. On a Silurian scorpion and some additional eurypterid remains from the Pentland Hills. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 39(3):575–590, 5 pls.Google Scholar
Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. (Tomus 1. Editio decima, reformata). Laurentius Salvius, Holmiae, 824 p.Google Scholar
Meek, F. B. 1867. Notes on a new genus of fossil Crustacea. Geological Magazine, 4:320–321.Google Scholar
Meyer, W., and Pahl, A. 1960. Zur Geologie der Siegener Schichten in der Osteifel und im Westerwald. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Geologischen Gesellschaft, 112:278–291.Google Scholar
Meyer, W., and Stets, J. 1996. Das Rheintal zwischen Bingen und Bonn. Sammlung geologischer Führer, 89. Borntraeger, Berlin, 386 p.Google Scholar
Nindel, F. 1955. Die tierischen Reste aus dem Karbon von Karl-Marx-Stadt und Hainichen i. S. Geologie, 4:673–694.Google Scholar
Paproth, E. 1960. Über die Fauna der Mittleren Siegener Schichten des Siegerlandes. Abhandlungen des Hessischen Landesamtes für Bodenforschung, 29:321–339.Google Scholar
Petrunkevitch, A. I. 1949. A study of Palaeozoic Arachnida. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 37:69–315, 83 pls. Google Scholar
Pictet, F. J. 1846. Traité élémentaire de Paléontologie. Vol. 4. Paris, 458 p., 20 pls. Google Scholar
Pollitt, J. R., Braddy, S. J., and Dunlop, J. A. In press. The phylogenetic position of the extinct arachnid order Phalangiotarbida Haase, 1890, with reference to the fauna from the Writhlington Geological Nature Reserve. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences.Google Scholar
Poschmann, M., and Jansen, U. 2002. New finds of chelicerate arthropods from the Siegenian (Lower Devonian) of the Rhenish Slate Mountains (Germany). First International Palaeontological Congress 2002, Geological Society of Australia Abstracts, 68:262–263.Google Scholar
Poschmann, M., and Jansen, U. 2003. Lithologie und Fossilführung einiger Profile in den Siegen-Schichten des Westerwaldes (Unter-Devon, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). Senckenbergiana lethaea, 83:157–183.Google Scholar
Rice, C. M., Trewin, N. H., and Anderson, L. I. 2002. Geological setting of the Early Devonian Rhynie cherts, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: an early terrestrial hot-spring system. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 159:203–214.Google Scholar
Rössler, R. 1998. Arachniden-Neufunde im mitteleuropäischen Unterkarbon bis Perm–Beitrag zur Revision der Familie Aphantomartidae Petrunkevitch 1945 (Arachnida, Trigonotarbida). Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 72:67–88.Google Scholar
Rössler, R., and Schneider, J. W. 1997. Eine bemerkenswerte Paläobiocoenose im Unterkarbon Mitteleuropas–Fossilführung und Paläoenvironment der Hainichen-Subgruppe (Erzgebirge-Becken). Veröffentlichungen des Museums für Naturkunde Chemnitz, 20:5–44.Google Scholar
Schultka, S. 1991. Trigonotarbus stoermeri n. sp.–ein Spinnentier aus den Bensberger Schichten (Ems/Unter-Devon) des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, 183:375–390.Google Scholar
Selden, P. A. 1981. Functional morphology of the prosoma of Baltoeurypterus tetragonophthalmus (Fischer) (Chelicerata: Eurypterida). Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences, 72:9–48.Google Scholar
Shear, W. A., Selden, P. A., Rolfe, W. D. I., Bonamo, P. M., and Grierson, J. D. 1987. New terrestrial arachnids from the Devonian of Gilboa, New York (Arachnida, Trigonotarbida). American Museum Novitates, 2901:1–74.Google Scholar
Shultz, J. W. 1990. Evolutionary morphology and phylogeny of Arachnida. Cladistics, 6:1–38.Google Scholar
Shuster, C. N. 1982. A pictorial review of the natural history and ecology of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus, with reference to other Limulidae, p. 1–52. In Bonaventura, J., Bonaventura, C., and Tesh, S. (eds.), Physiology and Biology of Horseshoe Crabs: Studies on Normal and Environmentally Stressed Animals. Alan R. Liss, New York.Google Scholar
Steininger, J. 1853. Geognostische Beschreibung der Eifel. Lintz'sche Buchhandlung, Trier, 144 p., 9 pls.Google Scholar
Stets, J., and Schäfer, A. 2002. Depositional environments in the Lower Devonian Siliciclastics of the Rhenohercynian Basin (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, W-Germany)–case studies and a model. Contributions to Sedimentary Geology, 22:1–78.Google Scholar
Størmer, L. 1970. Arthropods from the Lower Devonian (Lower Emsian) of Alken an der Mosel, Germany. Part 1: Arachnida. Senckenbergiana lethaea, 51:335–369.Google Scholar
Størmer, L. 1972. Arthropods from the Lower Devonian (Lower Emsian) of Alken an der Mosel, Germany. Part 2: Xiphosura. Senckenbergiana lethaea, 53:1–29.Google Scholar
Størmer, L. 1976. Arthropods from the Lower Devonian (Lower Emsian) of Alken an der Mosel, Germany. Part 5: Myriapoda and additional forms, with general remarks on fauna and problems regarding invasion of land by arthropods. Senckenbergiana lethaea, 57:87–183.Google Scholar
Tetlie, O. E., and Braddy, S. J. In press. The first Silurian chasmataspid, Loganamaraspis dunlopi gen. et sp. nov. (Chelicerata: Chasmataspidida) from Lesmahagow, Scotland, and its implications for eurypterid phylogeny. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences.Google Scholar
Walliser, O. H., and Michels, D. 1983. Der Ursprung des Rheinischen Schelfes im Devon. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, 166:3–18.Google Scholar
Woodward, H. 1865. On a new genus of Eurypterida from the Lower Ludlow rocks of Leintwardine, Shropshire. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, 21:490–492, 1 pl. Google Scholar